Cigar lighter



Sept. 3, 1940. F, BAHR 2,213,266

CIGAR LIGHTER Filed May 29, 1936 l "Il INVEOR BY @MQ ATTO R N E Y Patented Sept. 3, 1940 Application May 29, 1936, Serial No. 82,407

i3 Claims.

This invention relates to cigar lighters, and more particularly, to devices of this character as used in automobiles and elsewhere.

Lighters for cigars, cigarettes and the like, of

5 the kind just indicated, commonly comprise a holding device, in the form of a well and electrically served by connections to a source of current such that in the well there is a gap in an otherwise complete circuit, and an igniting unit in the form ci a plug adapted to be seated in and removed from the well for storage and use respectively, such unit having a heating element and carrying contacts so arranged that while the unit is in shallow or storage position in the well, said circuit is open at said gap, but while the unit is in a deep or operative position in the well said gap is closed by way of a contact on the unit to pl ce said heating element in the circuit for heating to incandescence and use.

l'n prior non-automatic lighters of this kind, the person operating the lighter, who is usually also the driver of the vehicle, must hold the igniting unit in its energizing position with one hand, while attending to steering of the vehicle with .i5 the other hand, and must periodically glance at and give his attention to the lighter to determine the state of readiness of same. rThis is a dangerous situation, and which might result in serious accidents.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate this disadvantage and danger, and this is accomplished, by providing means whereby the igniting unit need not be held by the driver or operator in its energizing position, but instead is retained in this position by a detent mechanism afte being moved to that position by hand. Thus, the driver, except for the simple and quick operation oi pressing in on the igniting unit, has both hands free to use in steering or otherwise controlling the vehicle, and may only glance at the lens ci the lighter once or twice to determine when it is ready for use.

Or, the driver instead of glancing periodically at the lighter, may count, to a predetermined number, to determine when the igniting unit is ready for use.

Thus, according to the invention, there is provided a lighter not only with means for resisting the movement of the igniting unit from openc circuit position to closed, but also with detent means 'for holding the igniting unit in closed-circuit position, and this lighter greatly reduces the danger or" accidents, when used in automobiles in place of prier lighters.

Also, in previously proposed lighters of this but of the automatic type, thermostatically controlled means have been provided for automatically moving the unit within the socket to an inoperative position, that is, to break the energizing circuit for the heating element, when said element reached a predetermined temperature hot enough to allow of the lighting of a cigar or cigarette therefrom after removing the from the socket.

According to the present invention, a double detent lighter as above outlined is provided, wherein a thermostatically controlled means is employed, but wherein this means acts, when the heating element of the unit becomes heated to an incandescence suiicient for use, to break the energizing circuit for said element, without acting, directly or indirectly, to cause a relative movement between the socket and the unit.

As the invention is preferably carried out in its simplest form, the circuit breaking is followed by an automatic remaking of lthe circuit if the unit is not withdrawn from the socket either completely or to shallow or storage position, before the heating element cools down too much. In other words, after the unit is sent to deep or operative position, it is inadvertently left there for a long period as when the drivers attention is required elsewhere for the moment, a heatresponsive means in the circuit of the heatin element of the unit repeatedly acts to periodically reenergize the heating element. Ii the driver, after moving the igniting unit to energizing position, should nd when the igniting unit is ready for use, that his attention for the moment is required in connection with shifting gears, steering or otherwise controlling the vehicle, he need not remove the lighter immediately but may wait until he is iree to do so, and yet at such later time he will rind the igniting unit in proper condition for use.

An arrangement ci the kind above described permits a very simple and economical construction, and one which is at the same time practicable and desirable, as set forth.

Further, according to the invention, there is preferably provided a special intermittently operated signal, Visual or audible or both, arranged to operate when the heating element reaches suitable condition for use, and to continue such operation intermittently during the retention by the element of that condition and until the unit is removed from deep or operative position in the socket.

Various other objects and advantages will be 4 hereinafter referred to or become apparent.

In the drawing, which shows one form of the invention, that at present preferred:

Figure l is an axial sectional view, with the removable igniting unit, partially broken away and partially in section, shown in shallow or storage position in the socket.

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Figure l, but showing said unit in deep or operative position in the socket and with the circuit for the heating element of the unit closed.

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. except that the unit is shown entirely in elevation and said circuit is shown open as it would be on the heating element oi the unit reaching incandescence for use.

The cigar lighter of tie present invention, in the exemplary embodiment thereof shown in the drawing, is of the so-called well type, for use in automobiles, and coinprises a socket-carri' base member or carrier for attachment to a panel l l of an automobile, and a removable igniting unit l2 which is normally supported vby the carrier, but which lee mechanically and electrically disconnected for manual transportaA tion within the car and for handling by various occupants therein `for the purpose of lighting cigars, cigarettes and the like.

The removable'igniting unit l2, the parts are shown, would Yordinarily rest in carrier l) so as slightly to protrude therefrom indicated in Figure l, and the unit can ne rcoved to the fully inserted position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, by a person desiring to place the unit in operative or energizing position for its heating element, thereby to condition the unit for removal from said base member and handling to light a cigar or cigarette.

The carrier l@ as shown comprises a sleeve i3 forming a deep socket it, such sleeve having at its inner end an integral transverse wall i5. This sleeve is adapted to pass through a suit' ole aperture in the panel ll of the instrument board, and is held in this position by a cap l5 screwed onto the outer end of sleeve. One or more tongues il are lanced troni the carrier, so that when the cap it is screwed up tight, the carrier lll is clamped between such cap and the outwardly canted ends oi said tongues, thus securely to mount the carrier on the panel ll. Any suitable form of holder may be substituted for that shown herein if desired.

The carrier l@ is preferably iorrned of sheet metal, and serves a conductive element of the grounded portion of the circuit for the energizing current when the removable igniting unit is in deep or operative position in the socket lil.

The carrier lll carries a current-conducting structure l@ suitably insulated from the carrier, said structure comprising the second contact to the heating element when the igniting unit is in deep operative position.

As here shown, said structure is a strip-like plate having each of its two arrns bent as indicated at i9 to provide two substantially parallel contacts lia.

The plate l@ is conveniently mounted at its central disk-portion on a metal stud 2d. As shown, this stud has a shank the rear end of which is threaded, and carries at its front end an enlarged head Eile, beyond which is a reduced cylindrical extension headed-over at 26h so as suitably to anchor the plate in place.

The stud 2li is supported in a shouldered metal sleeve 2l, but maintained out of contact therewith and with the carrier lll by the insulation shown.

The stud is rigidly secured in the sleeve 2l, by application of a primary nut 22 to the threaded end of the stud. A feed wire 23 is connected to the stud by a terminal clip the latter being clamped in place by tightening up a secondary nut 25 on the threaded end of the stud.

Thus it will be seen that the carrier lll is provided with contact members (the socket sleeve I3 and the plate i9) terminating at both sides of the car circuit and insulated from each other.

The removable igniting unit l2 is shown as including a knob or handle 2E and a plunger section or body thereheyond adapted to :it slidingly in the socket l for supporting the igniting unit therein. This knob is here an integral part of the body, which comprises a hollow tube of suitable insulating material; and at the inner end of such tube is secured a metal mount 2l for a heating element 25 and for a metal cup 29 within which said element is positioned.

This cup and a pair of centrally apertured insulatin'J disks between which disl-is is seized an inner inwardly directed flange of the cup, are clamped on the mount 2l by means of a stud Si headed-over at one end as shown and carrying at its other end a slotted head 3l@ beyond an insulating collar 32. The collar and an insulating washer conibine with the disks 3@ to insulate the metal cup from the mount 2l., except by way of the heating element 2t as will now be explained.

The heating element is, in the present case, in the forni of a spirally wound resistance wire or band connected at its outer end to the periphery of the cup 2S, and at its inner end set in the slot of head il la of the stud 3 l.

According to the present invention, there are provided means for inipositively holding the unit l2 in each of its two positions in the carrier ill, the open-circuit storage position, and also the deep closed-circuit position. As shown, these means include in the present embodiment, oppositely extending tongues lanced from the cylinrical wall of the casing it as indicated at 33 and 3d. The tongue 33 is normally resiliently biased to the position shown in Figure l, and the tongue @il is similarly inwardly urged.

For cooperating with the tongues 33 and Si, the metallic mount 2l is provided with a rear peripheral outer edge of enlarged diameter, this edge oi the mount presenting a generally rounded cross-section constituting an inclined shoulder 2id. Forwardly oi the shoulder 2l@ is an oppositely inclined annular shoulder l2@ on the eX- terior oi the unit l2.

When the igniting unit is in the shallow or storage position shown in Figure l, the tongue 32 is idle, but the shaped end of the tongue it coacts wi h the inclined shoulder lio on the unit to provide an impositivo stop means for precluding accidental or casual movement of the unit either inwardly or outwardly of the socket it.

Now, however, when the unit is manually moved to its deep or operative position, as shown in the tongue at its shaped end coasts with the inclined shoulder 2id on the mount l'l to retain the lighter in said position so that the hand can ce reinoved from the knob. in this deep position "ie heating element will be energized in preparation for use.

Thus it will be seen that the lighter may be operated without requiring con linual attention from the driver, and Without requiring the use of his hand for an extending period, and therefore the likelihood of accident resulting from attention given to the lighter by the driver when operating the vehicle has been materially reduced.

As indicated in the drawing, the rear wall or end or" the mount 2l and the insulation disks 3Q are matchingly apertured at a plurality of points around stud 3 l, so that, when the heating element 2S becomes incandescent, the glow of such incandescence will be visible at a translucent portion 26o of the knob of the unit, thus giving a visual CLI signal to the driver when the unit is ready for removal from the socket.

When the cigar lighter is out of use, the igniting unit is in its shallow or storage position as shown in Figure 1. However, when it is to be prepared for use, the unit is manually thrust to its deep or operative position as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, to cause the contact elements lila to engage the metal cup 29 and make good electrical connection therewith. Thereupon, the energizing circuit for the heating element 28 is completed by way of the wire 23, the stud 2Q, the contacts lso, the cup at, said heating element 23, the stud the mount 2l, the tongue 33, and the sleeve i3 to ground. Upon the heating element 28 reaching incandescence, light therefrom will pass through the matched apertures in the washer 3Q, mount El, and associated insulating washers, and through the bore of the igniting unit to the lens which will be illuminated so that the user may know that the igniting unit should be withdrawn before too great an elapse of time.

Although the device of the present invention,

as thus far described, has utility and constitutes distinct improvement over prior lighters, since it permits the driver of the vehicle to keep both hands on the steering wheel, driving conditions may at times so command the drivers attention that he will be unable to remove and use the heated igniting unit in proper time. In such event there is a possibility oi the heating element becoming overwarm and eventually damaged. However, such an occurrence is of little consequence when compared with the major accident which might result to the automobile should the drivers attention be diverted by having to keep his hand continually on the lighter, as is the case with prior lighters of this type.

However, I have found it possible to control the ter .perature of the heating element so that it is confined within saie limits even though the driver be unable to remove the igniting unit when it has become initially hot for use, due to his attention being required in directing the vehicle.

In the embodiment of the invention shown herein the means which I have provided for so controlling the temperature of the heating element is associated with the contact plate i9 so that said plate is operated. in response to a predetermined heating of the element, to move away from and out of engagement with the contact cup so that the circuit through the element is broken. This means comprises a second plate substantially similar in size and shape to the plate i@ and secured thereto so that both plates act as a unitary bimetallic structure. When the element becomes heated, this structure deforms to the position shown in Fig. 3, and the energizing circuit broken. All this time the parts remain as in Fig. 3, and unless the heating element becomes too cold to normally light a cigar or cigarette, the visual signal at the lens 25a will persist. As soon, however, as such glow tends to disappear or becomes faint, coinciding with a predetermined cooling oi the heating element, the thermostatic structure just described, having correspondingly cooled, becomes restored to the position shown in Fig. 2. Thereupon, the circuit is again completed., and the heating element is again warmed to incandescence. Such alternately performed heatings and coolings or the element 28 continue, until the unit i2 is moved in the socket, either to remove the unit from the socket, or to move t -e unit to shallow or storage position.

Preferably, the bimetallic structure I9 is constructed to operate in such a manner that the temperature of the heating element will be maintained within a given useful range so that removal of the igniting unit at any time after the element has been initially heated will iind said element in condition to light one or several cigarettes.

In order to provide means for giving a special signal that the unit is ready for removal from the socket, and particularly an attention-arresting one because an intermittently delivered one, the following means are provided.

A contact 35 is secured in place within the casing i3, as by a stud 35a, these parts being suitably insulated from the casing as shown. This contact 35 positioned so that when the thermostat iii is disposed as in Figures l and the contact is isolated from the circuit including the wire When, however, the thermostat i9 is deformed as in Fig. 3, one of the contacts, 59a, engages the contact 35 in circuit with a suitable electrically actuable signal device having its other terminal grounded on the shell i3, for operation each time the circuit last-mentioned is closed.

In the form shown, said circuit is supplied with current from wire 23, and by way of thermostat lila, to contact 35, and through the signal device. Also, preferably, the signal device comprises a buzzer, the usual casing of which is conventionally illustrated at 35. The casing is grounded by its securement at :il to the casing i3; current passes in the usual way to the ungrounded terminal of the buzzer from an insulated terminal 36a, joined by a metal strip 3S to the contact through the stud 35a mounting the latter. In the broader aspects of this invention, any other type ci electrical signal may be substituted for the buzzer.

Once the unit i2 has been manually moved inwardly oi the socket from the position of Figure l to that of Fig. 2, and has remained in the latter position long enough to heat the element to incandescence, the signal in circuit with the contact 35 operates, that is, in the present case, the buzzer sounds; giving notice that the unit is ready for removal and use. If such signal is ignored, the heating element will cool, with it the thermostat i9; the signal continuing until the thermostat moves away from the Contact 35. thermostat i9, on again making contact with the cup again places the heating element 25% in circuit, and on said element again reaching inn candescence, the signal will again be operated. Such signals will continue, intermittently, as long as the unit is left in the position oi Fig. 2, due to the parts i9 and 35 becoming alternately arranged as shown in Fig. 2 and as shown in Fig. 3. An intermittent signal, and especially an audible one, which is at present preferred, is particularly attention-arresting, and, therefore. the most absent-minded user of the device, will, by the feature just described, always be given adequate warning in time to prevent other than a negligible unnecessary operation of the thermostat and other than a negligible unnecessary consumption of current.

It will be noted that the signal is given only after the circuit through the heating element has been broken, and the signal is discontinued before the circuit through the element is again reclosed. In other words, the signal is given during the interval when the heating element is in its most desirable condition, i. e., the condition of highest temperature for the particular thermostat employed. This is an important feature of the invention, since the user is most likely to remove the igniting unit during this interval because the signal is then being given.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention, and portions of the improvements be used Without others.

I claim:

l. A lighter as dened in claim l0, wherein the holding means comprises a manually releasable detent holding the unit in deep or operative position regardless of the temperature of the heating element.

2. A lighter as defined in claim l0, wherein the holding means comprises a manually releasable detent holding the unit in deep or operative position regardless of the temperature ofthe heating element, said detent being impositive.

3. A lighter as deiined in cl .i l0, wherein the holding means comprises a manually releasable detent holding the unit deep or operative position regardless oi the temperature of the heating element, said detent being partially carried by the base structure and partially carried by the unit and being independent oi said thermostatically controlled means.

In an electric cigar lighter, the combination of a holder; a heating element; an ig!" g unit carrying the heating element and insert-able within and completely removable :from said holder for use, said unit being manually movable the holder to a shallow or storage position orto a deep or operative position; manually overcomable means for normally resisting the positioning of the igniting unit in operative position; means, separate from the last mentioned means, for holding the igniing unit in deep opera e position; thei --.statically controlled means carried by the holder for connecting the hea-ting element to a source of current to cause heating of such element when the unit is in deep or operative position and said heating element is below a predetermined temperature, said means including a thermostatic element deformable in response to heat from the heating element and when thus deformed directly breaking the connection of the heating element to said current source, whereby when the unit is left long enough in said deep or operative position, the heating element is alternately heated and allowed to cool a plurality of times; an electrically operated signal; means for operating such signal on the attainment by the element of said predetermined temperature.

5. In an electric cigar lighter, the combination of a holder; a heating element; an igniting unit carrying the heating element and insertable within and completely removable from said holder for use, said unit being manually movable in the holder to a shallow or storage position or to a deep or operative position; manually overcomable means for normally resisting the positioning of the igniting unit in operative position; means, separate from the last mentioned means, for holding the igniting unit in deep operative position; thermostatically controlled means carried by the holder for connecting the heating element to a source of current to cause heating of such element when the unit is in deep or operative position and said heating element is below a predetermined temperature, said means including a thermostatic element deformable in response to heat from the heating element and when thus deformed directly breaking the connection of the heating element to said current source, whereby when the unit isleft long enough in said deep or operative position, the heating element is alternately heated and allowed to cool a plurality of times; an electrically operatedaudible signal; and means for operating such signal on the attainment by the element of said predetermined temperature.

6. In an electric cigar lighter, the combination of a holder; a heating element; an igniting unit carrying the heating element and insertable within and completely removable from said holder for use, said unit being manually movable in the holder to a shallow or storage position or to a deep or operative position; manually overcomable means for normally resisting the positioning of the igniting unit in operative position; means, separate from the last mentioned means, for holding the igniting unit in deep operative position; thermostatically controlled means carried by the holder for connecting the heating element to a source of current to cause heating of such element when the unit is in deep or operative position and said heating element is below a predetermined temperature, said means including a thermostatic element deformable in response to from the heating element and when thus deformed directly breaking the connection of the heating element to said current source, whereby when the unit is cit long enough in said deep or operative position, the heating element is alternately heated and allowed to cool a plurality of times; an electrically operated audible signal, and means for operating such signal on the attainment by the element of said predetermined temperature and each time said element attains said temperature after an intervening cooling of said element, whereby with the unit left long enough in deep or operative position said signal will be operated intermittently.

7. In an electric cigar lighter, the combination of a holder; a heating element; an igniting unit carrying the heating element and insertable within and completely removable from said holder for use, said unit being manually movable in the holder to a shallow or storage position or to a deep or operative position; manually overcomable means for normally resisting the positioning of the igniting unit in operative position; means, separate from the last mentioned means, for holding the igniting unit in deep operative position; thermostatically controlled means carried by the holder for connecting the heating element to a source of current to cause heating of such element when the unit is in deep or operative position and said heating element is below a predetermined temperature, said means including a thermostatic element deformable in response to heat from the heating element and when thus deformed directly breaking the connection oi the heating element to said current source, whereby when the unit is left long enough in said deep or operative position, the heating element is alternately heated and allowed to cool a plurality of times; a second normally open circuit; a signal interposed in said circuit for operation when the latter is closed; and means for closing said circuit operating each time the heating element attains said predetermined temperature while the unit is in deep or operative position.

8. In an electric cigar lighter, the combinationy of a holder; a heating element; an igniting unit carrying the heating element and insertable within and completely removable from said holder for use, said unit being manually movable in the holder to a shallow or storage position or to a deep or operative position; manually overcomable means for normally resisting the positioning of the igniting unit in operativeposition; means,

separate from the last mentioned means, for holding the igniting unit in deep operative position; thermostatically controlled means carried by the holder for connecting the heating element to a source of current to cause heating of such element when the unit is in deep or operative position and said heating element is below a predetermined temperature, said means including a thermostatic element deformable in response to heat from the heating element and when thus deformed directly breaking the connection of the heating element to said current source, whereby when the unit is left long enough in said deep or operative position, the heating element is alternately heated and allowed to cool a plurality or" times; a second normally open circuit; a signal interposed in said circuit for operation when the latter is closed; and means for closing said circuit operating each time the heating element attains said predetermined temperature while the unit in deep or operative position, said thermostatic element forming a part oi the means last-mentioned.

9. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by the holding device and completely removable therefrom for use, said unit being movable on a holding device from an opencircuit position to a closed-circuit position; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; manually overcomable means for normally resisting the positioning of the igniting unit in closed-circuit position; separate means for holding the igniting unit in closed-circuit position until manually removed therefrom; means, separate from the heretofore mentioned means, for closing the circuit through the heating element to energize same when the igniting unit is in said closed-circuit position; heat-responsive means for intermittently opening and closing the circuit through the heating element in response to the resultant heating and cooling of said element as controlled by the circuit; an electric signal; and means for operating the signal during the periods when the heating element is disconnected from its circuit as a result of heat from said element.

l0. In an electric cigar lighter, the combination oi a stationary base member; a socket in the base member; a removable igniting unit longitudinally slidable in the socket into a shallow inoperative position and a deep operative position; means yieldingly holding said igniting unit in shallow inoperative position; a heating element on the inner end of the igniting unit and having a contact; and a Contact on the socket adapted to electrically engage the contact on the heating element with solely a lateral pressure thereon so as to tend to hold the igniting unit in closed-circuit position, said contact on the socket being thermally responsive to the heating element so as to expand laterally away from the contact on the heating element and interrupt the supply of current to the heating element when the heating element has been brought to a predetermined temperature.

11. In an electric cigar lighter, the combination of a stationary base member; a socket in the base member; a removable igniting unit longitudinally slidable in the socket into a shallow inoperative position and a deep operative position; means yieldingly holding said igniting unit in shallow inoperative position; separate detent means for holding the igniting unit in deep operative position a heating element on the inner end of the igniting unit and having a contact, said contact disposed on the igniting unit in a plane substantially normal to the path of movement oi the latter in the socket; and a contact in the socket adapted to electrically engage the :list-named Contact and apply pressure on said first-named contact solely in the direction of the plane of the same so as to tend to hold the igniting unit in closed-circuit position, said Contact in the socket being thermally responsive to the heating element so as to expand laterally away from the contact on the heating element and interrupt the supply of current to the heatinfT element when the heating element has been brought to a predetermined temperature.

l2. In an electric cigar lighter, the combination of a stationary base member; a socket in the base member; a removable igniting unit longitudinally slidable in the socket into a shallow inoperative position and a deep operative position; means yieldingly holding said igniting unit in shallow inoperative position; a heating element on the inner end of the igniting unit and having a contact, said contact disposed on the igniting unit in a plane substantially normal to the path of movement of the latter in the socket; a contact in the socket adapted to electrically engage the iirst-named contact and apply pressure on said contact in the direction of the plane of the same so as to tend to hold the igniting unit in closed-circuit position, said Contact in the socket being thermally responsive to the heating element so as to expand laterally away from the contact on the heating element and interrupt the supply of current to the heating element when the heating element has been brought to a predetermined temperature; an electric signal; and means cooperable with said thermo-responsive contact for operating the signal during the periods when the heating element is disconnected from its circuit as a result of heat from said element.

13. In an electric cigar lighter, the combination of a stationary base member; a socket in the base member; a removable igniting unit longitudinally slidable in the socket into a shallow inoperative position and a deep operative position; means yieldingly holding said igniting unit in shallow inoperative position; a heating element on the inner end of the igniting unit and having a Contact, said contact disposed on the igniting unit in a plane substantially normal to the path of movement of the latter in the socket; a contact in the socket adapted to electrically engage the rstnamed contact and apply pressure on said contact in the direction of the plane of the same so as to tend to hold the igniting unit in the closed-circuit position, said contact in the socket being thermally responsive to the heating element so as to expand laterally away from the contact on the heating element and interrupt the supply of current to the heating element when the heating element has been brought to a predetermined temperature; an electric signal; and means cooperable with said thermally responsive contact, including a second contact in said socket, for operating the signal during the periods when the heating element is disconnected from its circuit as a result of heat from its element.

GUSTAVE F. BA1-IR. 

